Multi-Colur Nail Art Ideas

The new season is all about color and style, so grab on to your favorite new season nail polishes and give your nails a total glam-over with the help of the following multi-color nail art ideas!
The vast array of nail polish hues and nail art designs created by talented nail artists and nail enthusiasts enable women to sport endless nail art designs that can be adapted to the season, to one's personality and style. Dare to play up with your nail art and give the following multi-color nail art ideas a try as they are in perfect sync with the summer 2014 nail color trends. It is just amazing what you can achieve with a little bit of nail polish, the right tools, a bit of skill and patience as sophistication is the buzzword that dominates the nail art scene this season. No more plain and boring nails, but interesting color mixes and intricate patterns which draw instant attention, so dare to have fun and experiment with the following multi-colored nail art designs created by talented nail art blogger from Cocotte-Nail.

• PRETTY PATELS

The summer season has brought to the surface an array of fabulous pastel hues which will make the delice of your look whether you're talking about fashion, makeup or nail art designs. Pretty pastels are universally flattering hues that pack a 'je ne sais quoi' which install a feeling of happiness and relaxation, so dare to create various nail art effects such as half-moon nail art designs, frosted tips, French manicures, heart effects and more using soft yellow, baby blue, white and soft pink tones. 

A great way to make sure your nails get noticed is to opt for high impact, color clashing hues, so whether you choose to go for a uniform but different nail polish hue on each nail or a stylish color mix, your nails are bound to steal the spotlight. A high contrasting manicure can be achieved by mixing vibrant neon hues or darks with brights, so mix and match your favorite nail polish hues to obtain a cool and trendy manicure every time. To ensure a flawless result every time apply glitter on the transition line between color clashing nail polishes or apply rhinestones or other 3D add-ons to give your nails an even higher impact.

•  HIGH IMPACT COLOUR MIXES

50+ Trending Fashion Styles Of 2014. IT JUST CAN'T GET ANY BETTER!

50+ Trending fashion styles of 2014. IT JUST CAN'T GET ANY BETTER!
Pink, purple, navy, blue, mint, black, red, silver, green and many other colors are available in this amazing collection.

How To Color-Coordinate Your Wardrobe With Your Bag Without Overmatching

Does your bag need to match perfectly with your shoes? Do you need to make sure there is one color element present in the bag or shoes to match the color of your outfit?
One day you’d hear fashion pundits decrying the overmatched look on some celebrity. The next you’d hear them singing praises about it because “the look came together very well” on some model.
The key to doing the mix-match look well is to do it with moderation. The bottom line? Your comfort level.
I believe that the head-to-toe one-color look works best with the right cut when it comes to clothes, and with neutral shades. It is more or less widely accepted to wear an all-black ensemble (black dress, black shoes, black bag), but unless you are in mourning, it’s good to put a little color on your face—perhaps some light-pink blush on your cheeks, or if you’re bold enough, bright red lips.
It is also common to see an all-white ensemble (white shirt, white trousers, white loafers and white bag)—I have seen this look on “ladies who lunch,” and they work it quite flawlessly. All white gives off that breezy, laid-back feel, which is also why this look is most at home on the beach.
Over a week or so ago, Jennifer Lopez was seen with her new boyfriend in Miami carrying off a very casual, all-nude (take note, she was not nude) look—from her nude tank top and jeans, to her nude pochette and her nude-toned Valentino studded sandals. It worked.

When it comes to brights,  the one-color look can be more difficult to pull off. An all-red ensemble may be too harsh, especially when matched with an all-red bag and a pair of all-red shoes—unless you are about to ring in Chinese New Year and want to make sure you get to catch all the luck.
And you might not want to do this all-red look if you’re attending a Chinese banquet—believe me, it would not be good to blend in with the red tablecloth on the banquet table! And it certainly might look strange if you wear an all-green outfit and match it with a same-color, different-shade bag and shoes unless you are willing to be mistaken for an elf or, worse, a leprechaun.
Again, there is no real rule out there against this, as it all boils down to how comfortable you are with what you wear—although I’m sure you wouldn’t want to be the object of ridicule by those who see you.
Now, if you are not too sure about your look, it’s time to learn the art of proper bag and shoe matching. When it comes to a solid-colored bright ensemble, a bag and a pair of shoes in either black or nude shade are safest, as those colors work to break down a bright color’s “strength.”
If you are willing to experiment, you don’t even have to match your bag color with your shoe color. Check out the color wheel (you can search for this on the Internet easily) to find complementary shades to the color of your outfit/bag/shoes, and work from there.
If you like to web-crawl, check out style blogs to see how bloggers integrate different colors of bags and shoes with their clothes. And if you feel emboldened after also poring over fashion magazines, try carrying printed bags—and why not, wear printed shoes, too! It may get confusing to color-coordinate or to color-complement/contrast, but never forget to enjoy the process of matchmaking.

How To Wear Waist Beads

The biggest misconception I constantly hear about wearing waist beads is that you have to be a size 0 with a flat stomach. Which is the farthest from the truth. Women of all ages and sizes wear waist beads! I have Grandmothers and women who have 52” size waists buying my waist beads. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a flat stomach, because they are for YOU to wear.
Traditionally worn under clothes by African women, waist beads have several different meanings. Ranging from rites of passage, to enticing your husband to healing and rejuvenation. The art of adorning ones self has been practiced since the beginning of time. In Egypt, waist beads were called “girdles”. All the women wore them and it was a uniform for pre-pubescent girls with out any sexual connotation. But usually servants or dancers wore them and are shown in wall relief’s wearing them and nothing else!
In West Africa, waist beads have several names.; Jel-Jelli, Jigeda, Giri-Giri, Djalay Djalay or Yomba. They’re always worn under clothes. In Ghana women knew that waist beads helped form their body into a particular shape and adult women wear beads to sexually stimulate the male. In other parts of West Africa, women would wear waist beads with bells on them, and when they walked it would make a jingling noise. Dipping them in oil scented the beads.
When you add stones, waist beads take on healing qualities. Depending on ailment or what needs to be enhanced (i.e. love, physic powers, balancing), various semi-precious stones can be included in the design of your waist beads.


It’s only now in modern times, that waist beads are becoming more visible. Pants are getting lower and lower, and women are showing more skin than ever. So why not adorn this blank canvas with beautiful beads. But if showing your stomach in not for you, it’s still all good. You can take glee in knowing that you are wearing something special and beautiful. I always tell women when you buy fancy lingerie; you wear them under your clothes for you or who you would like to see them. Waist beads are exactly the same!

How to measure yourself:

Measure yourself on bare skin, where you would like your beads to fall. Make sure the measuring tape is snug, but not tight and not to loose. Please don’t suck it in!! If you’ve never worn waist beads before, measure right below your belly button. If you have a tummy, measure underneath it. Measure lower if you would like your beads to fall lower. If you would like your beads to be worn over clothes, measure as above but over clothes. Please do not use manufacturer clothing size as a gauge for your waist size. Each brand varies in sizes.
LABELS: BEADS, FASHION TIPS

Ankara Print Swimsuit Collection. A Must Have This Summer...

Germany based designers Adwoa Ode-Dombrowe & Rosemary Dede from Malaika designs recently unveils their latest collection.  Our favorite piece is without question the 2 pieces Bikini even though it might look horrible on me .  African print swimsuits are really hot this summer .  Check out the full collection below and  tell what you think about it .

Photography by DZ' media
For photography bookings call
+2347064810089

10 Ways To Solve Common Wardrobe Disasters

You're out at a major event, wearing your low cut dress. While you know the dress doesn't fit you perfectly, you're sure a shoulder strap won't fall down and expose a breast. But it does and now you have to know how to survive a public wardrobe malfunction.
We’ve all had those mornings. Your jacket zipper is stuck. Your heel gets caught in a sidewalk grate. And, whoopsie, your favorite button-down seems to be gaping a bit more than usual.

No doubt about it…wardrobe malfunctions are total downers. But before throwing in the towel, try these handy dandy tricks! Simply channel your inner MacGyver and reach for a few everyday office tools.
1.) Need to repair a piece of clothing on-site without an emergency sewing kit? Grab a stapler to fix broken zippers or loose sleeves – just staple from the inside out.
2.) If a zipper is stuck, rub the tip of a graphite pencil over the area to loosen it up.
3.) Need to erase a stain before a big meeting? Ask around for a stain-removing pen. Alternatively, dry-erase board cleaner works just as well – but test a small area first if your clothing is isn’t white.
4.) If a button-down shirt or wrap dress is gaping more than anticipated, a loop of strong packing tape to hold the fabric together should do the trick.
5.) For scuffed shoes or holes in a pair of tights, a dark marker will provide a temporary fix.
6.) Lint can quickly be removed from an outfit with a packing list envelope (like the kind FedEx makes, and available at any office supply store). Just take off the adhesive backing and slip the envelope on like a glove.
7.) Trickier problems, like a broken heel, may require more creativity, but you’re not out of options. Duct tape works wonders for holding a shoe together, and a marker can help blend everything in.
8.) Plan ahead for things like a ripped seam, a stain on your blouse, or an ice-cold office by having a spare neutral-colored cardigan at your desk. Just keep it on a hanger or slung over your chair in case disaster strikes.
9.) If you lose your earring back, just snap off the eraser from a pencil and stick it behind the earring for a temporary fix.
10.) Mend a broken strap, whether it's from your shoe or bra, by looping a paper clip through both ends to keep things together. Just avoid sudden drastic movements until you get home.

Perfect Red Lipstick Application For a Dark-skinned Woman...

For many years, Black women believed they could not wear red lipstick. Red lips can be alluring, timelessly sexy and fashion forward and bring attention to pearly white teeth.
However when you have a darker skin complexion, wearing the right shade is key. Be encouraged; there’s a shade of red for everyone! The problem lies in finding a shade that will compliment your skin tone.
To find the right one, experiment with different shades to find yours. The wonderful thing about red lipstick is that there are several shades of red to compliment all skin tones.
There are several tips to try to make sure your red lipstick is fitting. Try:

1. Dab a little cream concealer on your lips before applying to keep it from smearing.
2. Line your lips with a lip liner that is one shade darker than your natural lip color or a closely colored lip pencil before applying the lipstick.
3. Mix red lipstick with a little brown lip pencil to give it depth and richness.
4. Blot your lips on a tissue and
5. For a precise look, use a lip brush to carefully apply your red lipstick to your lips. If you want more of a stained look, use a fingertip to apply.
6. There is no color red that Black women have to stick to as reds have been worn and applied to many different shades of brown. Some women look better in a darker, richer blue-toned red, while someone else may look better in a vibrant, orange toned red or a deep, warm-based red-wine, fire engine red, or fuchsia red. If you’re not ready for a red lipstick or are the kind of woman who prefers a glossy lip, try a red lip gloss. A gloss will provide you with various shades of reds and plenty of shine.
7. Because red lipstick is already bright, keep eye makeup simple and not over the top as it can make you look tacky and clownish.
8. Remember to check your teeth to make sure you have no red lipstick on them!

Scarlet lips are a focal trend this season, but why are so many of us still so reluctant to embrace this striking look?
LABELS: BEAUTY TIPS, LIPS

5 Bad Beauty Moves! Dont Dare Try!!

There can be a fine line between good and bad. Take makeup, for example. The right foundation can transform your face into an image of poreless perfection and the wrong one can morph it into a masky mess. Here are the most common self-inflicted grooming catastrophes and how to avoid them.

• Bad Beauty Move #1: Wearing Foundation on Flaky Skin

Not unlike paint, foundation needs a smooth surface. Otherwise it looks cracked, dry, dull and—worse—obvious, which is the exact opposite of what you want your foundation to do for you. Foundation should absorb into the skin, disappearing into it. To even out the surface of your skin, gently scrub it to remove dead cells and flakes. Finish by applying a moisturizing lotion or, if you have extremely dry skin, suki oil. Avoid zinc-based makeup and powders, since they have a mattifying effect that draws even more moisture out of the skin.

• Bad Beauty Move #2: Not Blending Your Makeup

This issue applies to everything you put on your face, whether it's foundation, blush, eye shadow or eyeliner. No one looks good with hard lines on their skin, eyes or lips. My motto has always been blend, blend, blend. Use brushes or fingers to gently massage color into the skin everywhere you put it. Don’t forget your jawline, chin and other areas of your face that may be slightly hidden when you look in the mirror.

• Bad Beauty Move #3: Using Concealer That’s Too Light

If you want to draw attention to something, you shine a light on it, right? The same goes for the way-too-light undereye concealer that’s supposed to be softening those dark circles but is making them even more obvious. That’s how you get raccoon eyes. Setting it with powder makes it even worse. To avoid an ashy, grayish effect, opt for a pink-toned concealer to brighten or a peach-toned one to cancel out the bluish hue of undereye circles. Most important, choose a creamy, easy-to-blend cover-up that’s an exact match to your skin tone.

• Bad Beauty Move #4: Applying Too Much Luminizer

Who doesn’t love the look of glowing, dewy skin? But next time you reach for that shimmery highlighter, think twice. It is definitely not for everyone. If you have oily or problematic skin, luminizer can highlight acne and make you look greasier. Stick to just one or two areas, such as the top of your cheekbones or bridge of your nose, and use your fingers for more control. Remember, less is more. There’s a huge difference between looking radiant and just plain shiny.

• Bad Beauty Move #5: Clipping Your Cuticles

That little bit of tougher skin is there for a reason: to protect the root of your nail from bacteria and other infections. To keep cuticles looking neat and clean, push them back with an orange stick, says Essie Weingarten, founder of nail brand Essie. Be sure to use cuticle oil every day. You’ll never get hangnails, and your nails will always look like you just walked out of a salon.
LABELS: BEAUTY TIPS, MAKE-UP

New Ways To Stop Lipstick From Darkening Lips

Long-term use of lipsticks — especially lower-quality lip colors — can permanently darken lips over time, due to the harsh chemicals in the cosmetics. But there are some things you can do yourself to help lighten dark lips and remove some of the staining that the makeup can cause.
Stop using the products. If you continue using the lipsticks that caused the problem in the first place, you’ll only make the darkening worse.

1. Try lime and honey. A mixture of lime juice, honey, and glycerine, applied regularly, could help lighten dark lips. You’ll need to apply it every day for several weeks before you see any positive effects.
2. Consider almonds, butter, and milk. After you wash your lips, apply almond milk, almond oil, or cream made from milk, and let it stay on your lips for at least one hour. Continue using this treatment daily for several weeks to lighten your lips.
3. Experiment with other natural ingredients. Some experts suggest beetroot, pomegranate, or coriander juice to lighten lips. To make coriander juice, grind up some coriander leaves in a blender.
4. Moisturize your lips. Keeping your lips moisturized can help make them appear lighter. You can try natural lip softeners like clarified butter or over-the-counter products like Vaseline to help condition your lips and lighten them. Apply either of these to your lips at night and as needed during the day to help moisturize and protect them.
5. Use lemons. Lemon juice is well known for its skin-lightening abilities. You can make a paste of equal parts lemon juice, graham flour, yogurt, and honey, and rub it onto your lips. Leave the paste on your lips for a half hour, then wash it off.
6. Keep your lips covered. Use sunscreen to protect your lips — the sun can increase the amount of pigment in your lips, making them even darker.
7. Limit your exposure to other potential skin darkeners. Cigarettes, coffee, and tea do more than stain teeth — they can also darken lips. Give your lips a break from these potential stainers.
8. Consult a doctor. If these home remedies don’t solve the problem, make an appointment with your dermatologist or doctor. He or she can prescribe an intensive lightening cream or another treatment to help lighten your dark lips and bring them back to a more natural color.

LABELS: LIPS

8 Amazing Make-up Colours You Should Start Looking For Before The Year Runs Out!

• TANGERINE LIPSTICK AND NAIL POLISH

Pantone named an orange-red called "Tangerine Tango" its shade of the year for 2014, and we're loving this bright, citrusy color for makeup, too. Although the orange eyeliner we saw on the runways looked cool, the shade looks best (and is a lot easier to pull off) on lips (try M.A.C Lipstick in Morange) or nails (try Essie Nail Polish in Vermillionaire).

• GLOSSY BROWN SHADOW

Brown eye shadow is a makeup-bag staple, but now makeup artists are amping it up with a touch of shine. Lightly swipe a rich moisturizer, such as Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant over copper shadow. Or just try a shade that's already got a hint of gloss, like Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow in Burnished or Estée Lauder Pure Color Gelée Powder Eye Shadow in Cyber Copper.

• PETAL PINK AND APRICOT BLUSHES

Sure, you've worn pink blush for years, but this year you'll want to wear it differently: Layer it over apricot to approximate the way your skin actually looks when it's flushed. You can use a cream or powder formula—the real trick is to apply the peach first, followed by pink, on the apples of your cheeks. "It gives you a healthy color," 

• PEARLY WHITE EYE SHADOW

Why is white so right, right now? It brightens your eyes so they look larger. "I love the idea of working with makeup that adds a touch of iridescence and luminosity," says makeup artist Peter Philips, who used the shade at Chanel's spring show. Use it on the lids, the inner corners of the eye, and if you're feeling adventurous, the cheekbones for a subtle highlight. 

• SILVERY GRAY EYE SHADOW

Last year we couldn't get enough of rusted metals—and while we're still feeling metallics, our tastes have shifted. On the lids, silvery gray looks sophisticated and more understated than full-on gold. Try Elizabeth Arden Color Intrigue Eyeshadow in Silver Smoke or M.A.C Eye Shadow in Silver Ring.

• PEACHY PINK LIP GLOSS

This year's take on the nude lip is a pink-y peach shade that flatters all skin tones. Tap peach gloss over the center of soft pink lips for a glow, says McGrath, or try one of our favorite shades, Nars Lip Gloss in Super Orgasm.

• CREAMY BROWN LINER

For a whole new twist on the smoky eye, just add chocolate. Chocolate brown liner, that is. Rim the inside of your lower lash line with your favorite black pencil, then draw a smudgy chocolate brown line along your upper and lower lash lines (we likeEstée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Eye Pencil in Coffee and Smashbox Cream Eyeliner in Putty) for this look, which was seen on runways including Balmain's.

• VIOLET NAILS

We're tickled pink over the shades of purple that popped up on nails at Dior, Derek Lam, and Prabal Gurung. Violet looks best on short, well-groomed nails. We loveEssie Nail Polish in Splash of Grenadine and Estée Lauder Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Purple Passion.